#using plastic totes for organization

[fordragonfliesandme]

Maximize Space and Minimize Stress: A Guide to Organizing and Storing Your Holiday Decorations

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know I am all about organization. January is usually the time when I focus my blogs on how to get organized in the new year, and stick with it! As a mother of six organization is a must! As the holiday season approaches, there’s a magical feeling in the air. It’s a time for celebration, joy, and of course, decorating our homes to create a…

[bradshawssugarbaby]

This Love We’ve Got Is The Best of All - Bob Floyd x Reader

A/N: I couldn’t help but write more Christmas-themed Bob fluff, sorry y’all. Inspired by one of my favourite Christmas songs - Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran & Sir Elton John 🎄🤍

pairing: Bob Floyd x Reader

warnings: just more adorable holiday themed Bob fluff, this one references a Christmas angel for the tree, if that needs a warning?

word count: 1.2k

“Does your family not use tinsel for their tree?”

Bob crinkled his nose at your question, shaking his head. A soft laugh escaped his lips as he looked to you, then back at your Christmas tree, a full, artificial, yet traditional looking green tree, now covered in sparkling silver tinsel roped around it from top to bottom.

“Can’t say that we do, babe. It’s very…glittery,” Bob frowned as he looked at the loose strands of tinsel that were scattered on the floor. You could tell by the look on his face, he was regretting the decision to let you take the lead on decorating your first Christmas tree together, but, Bob was far too polite and considerate of your feelings to protest it at this point. If you wanted tinsel, you were getting tinsel.

“Glittery is the whole point, Bobby,” you teased as you tossed a rope of excess tinsel at him, the silvery strands covering him, static electricity causing the threads to cling to his sweater, glasses and hair.

“You’re hilarious,” he retorted dryly as he took the tinsel off of him, discarding it in an empty plastic tote designated for Christmas decor that the two of you had begun accumulating together.

Bob began sorting through the ornaments you’d purchased, placing them in groups of the same colour together, all the gold spheres in one pile, silver balls in another, and champagne coloured in another pile again. He was notoriously well-organized when it came to workspaces, and Christmas decorating was no exception for him. Once the set was completely sorted, hooks added to allow you to hang them as you wanted, you heard a satisfied hum from Bob’s lips. He smiled up at you from his position on the floor, cross-legged in his dark-washed denim jeans and his chocolate brown knit sweater, silver wire rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, framing his sapphire coloured eyes perfectly - you couldn’t help but notice the rosiness of his cheeks, flushed warm with excitement about the holiday season.

“Is your tinsel bomb of a tree ready for me?” Bob chuckles, a smirk painted on his perfect pink lips.

“Ha ha. Very funny, Robert.”

“I like to think I’m hilarious, actually.”

Bob stood to his feet, his large hands finding their way to your hips, pulling you into his frame closely, your bodies just barely touching. He pressed his lips to yours in a soft, yet passionate kiss - the kind that sweeps you off your feet and leaves you wanting, craving more. He pulled away with a grin, laughing to himself as he kissed your cheek before picking up a silver ball shaped ornament from the neatly sorted piles he made and heading to the tree. He leaned upwards, hanging the plastic ornament delicately on one of the tree’s limbs, adorned with artificial plastic pine needles.

“Are you gonna help me, or was tinsel your only contribution?” He teased as he raised an eyebrow at you, his cobalt blue eyes twinkling as they caught the warm yellow-white lights of the Christmas tree.

“I mean, I suppose I could help, but just know, if it was up to me, this tree would be covered in tinsel and pink ornaments.”

“Believe me, honey, I know it,” Bob shook his head as he placed another gentle kiss on your cheek.

You selected one of the frosted champagne coloured balls from the sorted piles on the floor, hanging it on a branch as you and Bob got to work decorating the tree. Before long, your tree was covered in hues of gold, silver and champagne, twinkling and sparkling like a star in the night sky. Bob picked up the tree topper from the table and opened the box carefully. He pulled out a beautifully hand-painted Christmas angel, almost identical to the kind your own mother had on her tree back in your idyllic little hometown on the east coast, thousands of miles from San Diego, where you and Bob were residing.

“Whatd’ya think, honey? I tried my best to find one like your mama’s. I know it’s not perfect, but I think it looks pretty close?” He said, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

You felt your lip tremble slightly at your partner’s sweet gesture to make the first holiday in your new home together a special one for you. He knew how much you home, and, while it wasn’t unlike Bob to do thoughtful things for you, like surprise you with your favourite takeout for dinner, bring home a bouquet of flowers on a weekday after work, or turn up at your office with lunch for you, this moment had your eyes welling up with tears of joy, touched by the fact he’d remembered your stories of decorating your tree at home, memories of your family huddling together, bickering over what ornament went where, what Christmas movie to watch while you decorated, the smell of your mom’s freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, and your dad, the tallest in the house, putting the angel atop your tree year after year.

Bob gave you a soft smile, his hand gently resting on your shoulder, giving you a comforting squeeze as he passed the tree topper to you.

“It’s beautiful,” you murmured, nodding in appreciation.

“I figured I couldn’t get you the Christmas back home that you wanted or all the traditions, but, I could start one of our own with this?” He smiled hopefully as he pressed his lips to your forehead in a lingering, gentle kiss.

“Do you want to put it on the tree, Bobby?” You smiled up at him with a tear rolling down your cheek.

“Me?”

“Mhmm. Maybe if we have kids someday, you can do what my dad did for my house, be the designated tree topper-er.”

“Well, how can I say no to our future, maybe, kids?” Bob laughed softly, shaking his head.

He pulled a wooden kitchen chair over to the tree, standing on it to ensure he could reach the top of the 7 foot artificial balsam fir standing before him. He held his hand out for you to pass him the angel. When you placed it in his hands, he held it protectively, almost like cradling a newborn infant, as if he was cautiously avoiding dropping it on the hardwood floor below the chair. He leaned in and placed it in its rightful spot atop your tree, the hand-painted smiling face looking down at you both as Bob stepped off the chair to admire his work. He threw an arm around your shoulder playfully, smiling as you both looked the tree over.

“Well?”

“I think it’s perfect,” You nod your head quickly, a smile on your features as you both admire it, “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s not as beautiful as you are, but it’s a close second for the prettiest thing in the room, I’d say,” Bob chuckles as he pulls you in closer for a cuddle, his arm still draped over you.

[liaromancewriter]

It Happened One Miami Night (3/?)

Series Premise: A work trip to Miami means finally accepting that some risks are worth taking. Or are they?

Fandom: Choices Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff Words: 1,430

Series Masterlist

A/N: I live! Seriously, though, I've been really sick the last few days; today's the first day I've actually felt like writing. I also don't know where I'm going with this series except for this idea of filling in blanks for moments we didn't see. Pray that I figure it out before I start rambling.

Submission for @choicesaprilchallenge24; dialogue prompt "come on, it'll be fun"

She might have been invited (ordered, more like) under false pretenses, but that didn’t mean she was wasting this opportunity. Still in awe of hearing medical greats in person, Cassie Valentine put her hands together for the chorus of applause that followed Dr. Hadley’s fireside chat.

Ethan Ramsey, the epitome of medical excellence, was Cassie’s ultimate inspiration. Yet, Rebecca Hadley, with her profound knowledge and charisma, was a close second in Cassie’s admiration.

Cassie's eyes darted hopefully towards the front as the room began to clear. Her heart sank at seeing the long queue of Dr. Hadley’s admirers. Disappointment washed over her, but she was determined not to let this opportunity slip away. However, the organizers pulled Dr. Hadley away before she could step forward.

Cassie checked the event schedule on the conference app and figured she had enough time to grab some swag for Elijah before the next session. She still hadn’t heard from Ethan.

No! She wasn’t going to think about him. This time was for her.

Ethan was her attending, that’s it. No, he wasn’t Ethan. He was Dr. Ramsey. Cassie repeated this to herself, a mantra reminding her of her resolution to move on and break the spell he’d cast on her.

She thought this weekend was already proving challenging, recalling their conversation after the Nash debacle. They hadn’t even been to their suite yet or figured out how they were going to spend two nights in close quarters. Would he casually dismiss her from his presence then, too?

Shaking off the anxiety, she entered the exhibit hall and made a beeline for the first table. They gave out branded pens; they were nothing special, but her friend wasn’t picky. Besides, Elijah lost at least two pens daily and would use them all.

With her tote bag bulging, she was halfway down this row when she spied a booth handing out frisbees. She sped up, grabbing the last one as someone reached for it. Cassie turned sideways and found herself in a tug-of-war with another attendee.

“I was here first,” she tugged the plastic disk a little too forcefully.

“Debatable.” The man grinned charmingly before letting go. “But my mother raised a gentleman,” he glanced at her lanyard, “Cassie.”

“Thanks,” she stared at the name tag in her line of sight, “Evan. My compliments to your mother.”

“Wait till I tell her how her lessons on manners led me to my future wife.” The twinkle in his eyes told her he was joking.

“Wow, you’re easy,” Cassie quipped. “Beat a guy at the Swag Olympics, and his true intentions come out.”

His lips twisted in a half smile, and he eyed her tote. “First conference?”

“Is it that obvious?”

Evan laughed. “First-timers always grab too much stuff. Then, you realize you can’t possibly take it home in your carry-on and start throwing out perfectly good swag.”

That made her pause. The space in her luggage was indeed limited. Still, she promised Elijah goodies, and she would deliver them.

“It’ll be okay,” she shrugged, unconcerned.

“I heard Panacea’s giving out briefcases,” Evan said, stepping closer, just at the edge of her personal space. “I was just heading there.”

Cassie caught the unspoken invitation in his voice and the interested look in his eyes as he peered intently at her. She started to decline, not wanting another run-in with Declan Nash, when their phones pinged.

“Oh wow, I don’t believe it,” Evan exclaimed, staring at his phone. “They just added Dr. Ramsey to a panel. It starts in twenty minutes.”

He glanced at her over his phone’s screen, his eyes filled with eager excitement. “He’s amazing. Man, what I’d do to work with him. I tried matching at Edenbrook last year, but their residency is super competitive.”

“I know,” Cassie said quietly, but Evan didn’t hear her as he continued talking.

“…got into Grady, so not a total loss. How about you?”

“Edenbrook. First year, internal medicine.”

Evan’s eyes widened. “Have you met Ramsey, then? What’s he like? Are rounds with him a masterclass in diagnostic excellence?”

Cassie wasn’t sure how to respond. Was she supposed to tell a stranger that she had not only met Ethan but fallen hard for him? That when he focused those laser blue eyes on her, she melted, heat pooling in her belly, fingers itching to touch him everywhere?

Ethan was a complicated man who hid his emotions behind an austere exterior. But when he let his guard down and let her in, she fell through a rabbit hole, knowing her life would never be the same again.

“Rounds with him are intense,” was all Cassie said, keeping her expression neutral.

Ten minutes later, she reluctantly followed Evan into the ballroom where Ethan’s session was taking place. Despite the last-minute announcement, the room was almost full, with just a few empty seats scattered around the room.

“See? I told you the room would be packed early,” he said, scanning the space.

They shoehorned their way to the center of the room, hopping over bags and feet to park themselves on two chairs in a row of theater seating. Cassie almost tripped over the ankles of a woman who wasn’t keen to let them pass, but Evan helped keep her upright.

Cassie’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Ethan’s tall figure standing off to the side of the raised dais. He must’ve gone to the suite, for he was now wearing a blazer over the black shirt and gray slacks from this morning.

He hadn’t noticed her, and she doubted he would, given the size of the crowd. Still, she slumped slightly in her seat, practically hiding behind the person seated in the row before her.

“What are you doing tonight?”

She turned to face Evan, her brow raised in confusion.

“A few of us are getting together later,” he explained hurriedly. “It’s nothing fancy—cheap booze, music, dancing on the beach.”

“I don’t know,” she hesitated. “I’m here with my attending. He might need me for work.”

“All night?” Evan asked skeptically. “He doesn’t seriously expect you to be on call all weekend? Give the old man the slip and join us.”

When she still looked doubtful, he insisted, “Come on, it’ll be fun. Give me your number. I’ll text you the details.”

Cassie scoffed. “What makes you think you’ve earned my number?”

“My eternal optimism?”

“Nice try,” she rolled her eyes. “I’m on the conference app. Ping me the deets there. No promises.”

The emcee called the room to attention, and the commotion around them died down, replaced by excited anticipation. He introduced the session topic and speakers, reading a brief bio for each panelist.

Despite her earlier intention, Cassie straightened in her seat, unable to look away as Ethan joined his fellow panelists on the stage. As soon as the applause subsided, the moderator smoothly jumped into the discussion, throwing Ethan the first question.

Sprawled in a deep armchair, he held the microphone close to his lips, punctuating his point with a wave of his hand. He spoke eloquently, captivating everyone in the audience and the panel.

Cassie envied his effortless confidence and hoped that one day, she would be as secure in her abilities as a doctor.

She noticed how relaxed Ethan was now compared to earlier. He was in his element now, and it showed. Unlike the uncertainty of the situation with Naveen, sharing his opinions on managing medical resources during large-scale emergencies was easy.

Evan tried to engage her in conversation, leaning too close for comfort, but she ignored him beyond a quick nod. She hadn’t reflected on this topic before but found the discussion and subject area fascinating.

Cassie thought she knew Ethan’s career well, being his biggest fan and all. But she had no idea he’d volunteered in disaster zones during his residency and fellowship. Was there anything the man hadn’t done in the ten short years since he became a doctor?

And was he just as good in bed as he appeared out of it? The naughty voice broke through her thoughts, making her blush.

Cassie surreptitiously scanned faces around her to make sure no one had noticed her face turning red (or the way her skin flushed from the neck down as her breath hitched). It was damn inconvenient.

Listening to Ethan being, well, Ethan, was clearly turning her on.

So much for her resolution. All Ethan had to do was talk passionately about medicine, and she was ready to kiss his breath away.

The weekend just got a whole lot more complicated.

-------------

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @lady-calypso

@mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16

@justyourusualash @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @youlookappropriate

[green-mug-tomato-juice]

i pull the book out of my tote bag. i take this bag with me everywhere i go, and just the same carried the book with me for months. i wasn't reading; the book lay in the bag as a reminder, a sort of promise, that today would be the day i would read a few pages. that day never came, and now as i look at the book guilt washes over me, grief even, grief for the time i lost waiting for the day i start reading to come. i hold the book in my hands; a thin paperback, 150 pages. "giovanni's room". i read two thirds of it, and then the will to start the next chapter and eventually find out what happens to giovanni and david never came. i feel like i'm holding a small dead animal: fragile, helpless, its coat in horrible disarray from an accident suffered. only i know this is my doing. i let this innocent creature rot, and now i can't feel my hands. i flip the first pages, carefully, they are so soft at the edges i feel like they will crumble away with a single touch. i bend the folded corners in the opposite direction so they lay flat again. they don't though, because at the bottom of my bag the book was squished into a curved shape under my other, more important things. i've seen books that were a thousand years old, the pages brown and the ink pale and the language one that noone speaks anymore, yet this feels older somehow. like it aged a thousand years for every day of my neglect. i pick up the dog-eared page on which i stopped reading. david is welcoming hella back from spain. there's people chattering near me, and i can't concentrate to read and find out how it goes. their chattering isn't as loud as the voice in my head telling me to get my bloody hands off this hurt creature. i close the book, carry it in my hands upstairs to my room, lay it out in my lap, and begin taping the frail edges where they're ripped. it feels wrong, completely wrong, the way the pages feel like moss, soft and organic and soaked with atmosphere from every place i went the last few months. the tape is hard clear plastic, and i feel like i'm doing taxidermy on a teletubby. fur, a somewhat ancient invention of evolution, against a television tummy, hard and colorful and cold and lifeless.

as i flip on, i rub my sweaty thumb over the rolled up page corners, flattening them and softening them further by feeding them more moisture. they soak it up like it's their only life force, except it's their destruction, and i understand. we want comfort, we want to be soft, we want what makes us vulnerable. that's the inevitable conclusion to living. sometimes you get stuck in a warm, dark place, neglected by yourself, or others, or both, and you get so worn down that the bends, folds and ripped edges will last forever, patched up provisionally but never truly healing.

i look at the book from all sides, okay with the work i've done, and finally bend the whole thing in the opposite direction of its damage. it lays a little flatter as a whole, but the pages still strain like they want to go back to the position they were in at bottom of my bag, comfortable being forgotten in the dark, uncomfortable with suddenly being out in the light. i carefully lay it out on my nightstand, put my box of embroidery thread on top, forcing the corners into place, and for lack of better heavy items, put some fruit on top. two apples and three bananas. a strange towering weighted blanket for this creature that has unlearned being loved; that only knows love as something that squishes you away like a secret promise, making you as small and invisible as possible. but i realise then that even this book, this broken thing, is worth caring for. for how damaged it is, it still contains all the words to a story, one worth being told.

step 9: making amends. i want to find out what happens to giovanni. i will hold the book carefully, flip the pages carefully, lovingly, and lay it to rest under its weighted blanket when i'm done. until one day, maybe it can lay flat and relaxed all on its own again.

i get up, i shuffle because my back hurts, having sat bent over in guilt for too long. my spine will feel it for a day or two. but then i will need to lay myself out flat, under my own weighted blanket, and let the folded and bent and ripped parts of me relax, and slowly become able again to stand up straight again, head held high, and look people in the eye. as i've put this book back together, i've found the part of myself that needs taping. i pick up the pencil, ready to tell my story, just like the book will tell james baldwin's story again.

[zombiesun]

Taylor found these bag bans did what they were supposed to: People in the cities with the bans used fewer plastic bags, which led to about 40 million fewer pounds of plastic trash per year.

But people who used to reuse their shopping bags for other purposes, like picking up dog poop or lining trash bins, still needed bags. "What I found was that sales of garbage bags actually skyrocketed after plastic grocery bags were banned," she says. This was particularly the case for small, 4-gallon bags, which saw a 120 percent increase in sales after bans went into effect.

Plastic haters, it's time to brace yourselves. A bunch of studies find that paper bags are actually worse for the environment. They require cutting down and processing trees, which involves lots of water, toxic chemicals, fuel and heavy machinery. While paper is biodegradable and avoids some of the problems of plastic, Taylor says, the huge increase of paper, together with the uptick in plastic trash bags, means banning plastic shopping bags increases greenhouse gas emissions. That said, these bans do reduce nonbiodegradable litter. […] A 2011 study by the U.K. government found a person would have to reuse a cotton tote bag 131 times before it was better for climate change than using a plastic grocery bag once. The Danish government recently did a study that took into account environmental impacts beyond simply greenhouse gas emissions, including water use, damage to ecosystems and air pollution. These factors make cloth bags even worse. They estimate you would have to use an organic cotton bag 20,000 times more than a plastic grocery bag to make using it better for the environment.

[purewonderca]

Embrace Pure Wonder with Dina Nashman!

Hey Edmontonians! - We're thrilled to introduce Pure Wonder, founded by the visionary Dina Nashman, your go-to destination for eco-friendly and stylish apparel right here in our beautiful city!

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Why Pure Wonder?

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Dina Nashman, our Founder and CEO, is on a mission to redefine fashion by blending elegance with eco-consciousness. Stay tuned for our website launch, coming at the end of March to mid-April, where you can explore and shop the collection! 📷📷

Visit our store in Edmonton or join us online at www.purewonder.ca. 📷📷 Together, let's make fashion a force for good! 📷📷 #PureWonder #EdmontonFashion #SustainableStyle #OrganicCotton #FashionWithPurpose #DinaNashman #purewonder #pure wonder

[keshetchai]

Fountain pen ink bottle: $4 /ea

pocket sized sketchbooks or notebooks $2 (yellow & brown strathmore drawing/sketch are bundled together for $2)

The three larger sketchbooks are all $5 /ea

various mini canvas packs $3 / ea

acrylic paint pad $8 BNNU

mixed media toned paper pad $6

gel print and roller $8

tortilla pencil roll $2

cheapie brushes bundle (seriously these are CHEAP brushes, they aren't good quality. they're meant for watercolor or acrylic, and I keep cheapies on hand for things like applying masking glue, gesso, spattering, yknow...there's all kinds of reasons why you want sort of terrible brushes. the handles can mix stuff. any time you might end up destroying the good brushes, these are the sacrificial lambs!) $3 for all of them.

brushes box $14 BNNU

brush washer, paint keys (bundle), sanding sponges, letters stencil, clip-on cups to hold medium -- $3 /ea

golden open acrylics set BN swatched and tested like once, got some oil paints on tube but otherwise great. this is the traditional colors set of 6. $30

palette paper (white) BNNU $8

soho, grumbacher, & turner watercolor bundle: $15

marie's gouaches bundle and storage box I had them in $6

Lukas gouache bundle $25

QOR watercolor (remaining paint in squeezed out tubes (1 tube missing), and the paint poured out into a funky pink pill box with a cool skeleton on the front and washi tape decoration. the watercolors left to dry in the pill box rewet nicely. $15

union square watercolor pad $6

Filofax Original A5 size organizer in Dark Aqua WITH loads of interior pages - some bought from an online etsy shop (in rainbow colors, "QUESTS" instead of "to-do lists" and "heart" boxes, plus regular white or colored lined papers as well. it's stuffed full!) No actual calendar pages but does have numbered dividers with tabs. $130

pencils box $2

that white palette $3

art supply carrier tote bag thingy $10. it does have like, graphite, pastel smudging on the insides and all of that, but honestly you're just going to add more, right?

NOTE ON GOUACHES AND WATERCOLORS:

I will not do returns for dried gouache or watercolor in the tubes. Some of them will need to be reworked! (like I can hear one of the marie's gouaches rattling inside the tube, lol)

The fix to a dried out or drying out watercolor/gouache is incredibly simple: add water. You can cut open the tube to act as a cup, or cut them open and pour them out into a plastic paint cub or reused glass/plastic cup with lid. or right into a palette. add just enough water to fully soak the dried paint. wait a few days for it to soften up. add more water as necessary. if it's still a bit thick, you can add a drop of plain glycerin to the paint and mix it in to help it retain the moisture it's soaking in. this will also make it easier to rewet as you go on.

I will say the lukas gouaches all appear squishy still in tubes, the acrylics are perfect, and the sohos/turner seem mostly fine, but there's some they may need re-constituting and the marie's may have some dry ones as well. lastly, the QOR's don't have much left actually inside the tubes, so you might want to cut the tubes open anyways to paint directly from. they're nice paints tho, and i of course am bundling with where i poured all the paint into.

also: sorry the lighting is weirdly yellowy. I laid out a white curtain that I am not currently using to try and take pictures on and it's just...this whole house has terrible lighting in every room lol. i promise you those curtains are white.

these can't be shipped media mail, so just keep that in mind!

[anshupunreddy]

Jellyfish facts

1. Jellyfish do not have brains, hearts, or lungs (Source: Marine Conservation Society)

2. Jellyfish are the oldest multi-organ animal in the world. They have been around for at least 500 million years (Source: PETA)

3. Jellyfish may be the first animals with no central nervous system that have been observed to sleep (Source: PETA)

4. One species of Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) may be immortal because they can revert to a more juvenile developmental state when they are threatened, sick, or old and will mature into a mature adult again (Source: One Earth)

5. 150 million people are stung by jellyfish each year (Source: Bristol aquarium)

Consumerism facts

1. Nail polish fact: Nail polish originated in China as early as 3000 B.C., and in Ancient Egypt it was used to represent class rankings; lower class individuals wore nude and light polish and high class individuals wore red (source: Good Housekeeping).

2. Chevy fact: Nobody knows how the bowtie logo was originated. Some people think that William Durant—the founder of General Motors—saw a similar design on hotel wallpaper, while others say he was inspired by a newspaper advertisement (Source: CrossroadsGM.net)

3. Nalgene fact: Nalgene plastic products were originally developed for use in laboratories for things like jars, test tubes, and Petri dishes. This is because it was shatterproof and lighter than glass. (Source: Wikipedia)

4. Tote bag fact: In Indonesia in the 1970s-1980s, tote bags were often called student bags because students would print a political statement on a plain canvas bag to convey their political beliefs (Source: Vivaldi.net)

5. Champagne fact: The Guinness World Record for the longest recorded champagne cork flight is about 177 feet which was set by Emeritus Heinrich Medicus in June 1988 at the Woodbury Vineyards Winery in New York (Source: the Champagne Company)

Attendance prompt:

“As well as power, red has baser associations with lust and aggression. The devil is traditionally depicted in red. The association of red and sex in the West dates back at least until the Middle Ages. It was frequently the color assigned to prostitutes in the many sumptuary laws passed over the course of the period” (pg. 136)

This quote stuck out to me because I think it’s interesting that one color seemingly had such vastly different representations. One was of power, and like I mentioned in my nail polish fact, was often worn by the upper class. The other was of lust, aggression, and even evil. While they seem very different, power is also often associated with lust and aggression, so it might make sense that one color represented all of these themes.

[journeyman-tier-fibercraft]

Stash Organizing Day! I finally got all the furniture into my bedroom after a year of living here (long story) and came to the conclusion that it was time to Stop storing my yarn in trashbags (mostly, I have to get a couple more plastic totes). Photo dump and rambling under the read more.

Here is all my yarn that I don't consider an "active" project (MOSTLY, there's an active project in the pink tote bag (Shawl 13) but I wanted to put up the extra colours I was finished with and it was easier to carry the whole thing in).

The already filled plastic tote has all my wool yarns in it (also in ziplock bags because these totes aren't airtight). I'll eventually organize them better and lay them all out for a photo too but for now they're staying Contained. Instead I dumped all my acrylic yarn out of the trash bag it was in.

Before starting Blanket 10 my acrylic yarn took up about twice as much room as it does now. The big pile on the left is all the scraps from it that I'm undecided as to what to do with them. Other than that mess, along the top is some Lion Brand Jeans yarn I had bought for a striped sweater that I swatched for and never made. Below that is all my fingering weight acrylic, mostly Loops and Threads Woollike. The big cake is one of the 300 gram Lion Brand Mandala cakes.

Also acrylic but kept in the very cute Purple Hawaiian Hello Kitty Tote Bag(TM) is a metric fuck ton of Lion Brand Re-Spun. I knit one strip out of like 9 for a blanket before realizing I wasn't having fun and it hurt my hands and I didn't like it. I don't know if I want to frog it or not or what to do with this yarn so I've just kinda been sitting on it, I might end up with another granny stitch blanket.

For now my acrylics are all staying in the trash bag, I currently only have one other plastic tote and I'm going to use it for my cottons.

By weight the majority of my cotton yarns are Hobbii brand Cotton Kings Sultan. I like knitting with them, they're pretty, I'm using the bottom three as decor in my room. Right now I only have projects set out for two of them (the peachy orange one and the two rainbows (i bought them with the intention of using them together in a huge brioche project and still don't have a pattern picked out lmao)), but it won't be hard for me to find more lace doily patterns to make giant. Most of the scrap (middle bottom) is also from Sultan cakes, and directly above it is some fingering weight cotton also Cotton Kings brand.

On the right bottom is all that's left of my Knit Picks Dishie out of my original purchase of something like a dozen and a half balls. I did give a couple balls of it to my aunt but most of it I used, I really really Really like Dishie. Finally on the right top is my size 10 crochet cotton.

I didn't grab photos of all my bulky yarn bought for suffies because I'm honestly not sure what to do with it and for now most of it is staying in it's cardboard box. Bad Yarn Gets The Box.

There's also the pile of Shame. Some of them are completed projects I don't have a good storage place for, most of them are incomplete projects. There are several projects I need to either frog, finish, give away, or throw out and I just do not want to decide right now. There's also at least one shawl in that pile that I finished while living at my old house and never got to block because of space concerns and simply haven't. Blocked it even tho I have space now.

I Think that is all of my yarn that isn't currently being used for a project. It feels really good to finally get everything organized and out of my actual work area. I still have some things I need to find places for (the shame pile and all my sewing materials mainly) but I got rid of the Yarn Mess by literally hiding it under my bed <3

[mycochaos-oldacnt-plzfollownew]

July Mycopal Q&A

Q: “ Hi do you mist the cake or just its side walls to fruit...i exsperment with a all in one grow bag..and another i have a water bin were the cake sits on brick abouve water...but do i ned to ever spray the cake its self ..or just side walls n lid.“ A: hello mycopal! sorry for the late reply! I don't seem to get notifications for comments on my own videos :(  I apologize for the length of this message, but I'm passionate about this topic, and I appreciate your genuine question! After reading it, fel free to let me know if you have any follow-up questions or thoughts. I'm also open to suggestions for content you would watch if I created said content related to mycology (with some cross over into microbiology). 

I suggest, if you haven't already, get yourself a hair-stylist's misting spray bottle for your mycojourney :) I recommend using a misting bottle because pressurized spraying, even with a fine nozzle salon misting bottle, can dislodge spores of contaminant fungi from their microscopic structures. Additionally, water splashing can spread bacteria, which usually requires transfer from the user's skin or falling off the nose, eyebrows, hands, etc., or through water transfer. Some bacteria have flagella and can wiggle around, but not very far on dry surfaces. 

I strongly advise against directly spraying the surface of the mycelial colony or any mycelium. Instead, only mist the sides and underside of the lid when they become dry. This should not happen often if you maintain proper field capacity. In general, direct spraying (and sometimes even just air flow) can cause mycelium to bruise. Bruising isn't necessarily "bad," but if an area of the colony is severely bruised for an extended period, it can hinder the mycelium's metabolism in that specific area and even stall the growth of the entire tub. When you're breaking up grainspawn and mixing it with substrate to "birth" it into a tub (often referred to as S2B), it's important to understand the concept of "field capacity" (FC) in substrates. If you're confident about your FC levels and have control over your spawn, substrate, and other variables, the substrate and colonized spawn/sub mix should maintain humidity within the tub itself without the need to remove any lids or introduce misting. This advice specifically applies if you're using shoeboxes or other plastic tote-tubs, and it requires some adjustments to the methods used when working with an AIO bag.  In the case of an all-in-one (AIO) bag, which will have reduced flush sizes/pin spread by the nature of available surface to do so), you have no way to confirm its sterility or exercise quality control (unless you made the bag yourself). You CAN control contamination at the injection site and in your local environment where you inoculate/inject the AIO bag through its injection port. However, you do not control the sterility of the syringe fluid you are injecting or the cleanliness and correctness of spores or mycelial tissue if using a liquid culture syringe. If you have the opportunity, using LC syringes is much better ( I have more reasons but will refrain cause this comment is already too wordy). Multi spore syringes I consider, very much, chaotic "luck of the draw". The single spores must meet a pair-mate, and their coupling results in the first initial mycelium hyphae that then spreads and colonizes. So, technically, the mycelium 'colony' is an individual organism and the mushrooms are just the final stage of the life cycle of the fungal organism :)  BUT -- Do not be dismayed: AIO bags do work; but I do not use them due to the reasons mentioned above. Worth noting that grain-bags can be useful for those with limited space or time/resource constraints, and some gourmet mushroom species require fruiting from blocks of colonized spawn (not so much with AIO bags). On r/contamfam (where I have the privilege and pleasure of being a member of the mod-team), we have mycopals who have entered our summer full canopy contest with impressive canopies grown on small 4x2 blocks pulled from an AIO bag or similar sizes. However, I strongly encourage all mycopals I advise to work towards doing as much of the hobby themselves as possible. There is a lot of variability in substrates, and you can often find materials at your local farmer's cooperative or grain/feed stores. Additionally, if you're interested in exploring woodlovers, you can often source woodchips from local mills or other available sources.  As I have mentioned before, if you can afford it, I highly recommend transitioning to using shoeboxes. They are 6qt Sterilite tubs designed for long-term sneaker storage. They have a passive FAE (fresh air exchange) at the lid-clasp/handle area, which is sufficient to allow for colonization without losing humidity in a birthed tub. If you use a larger tote, you need to consider passive air flow and potentially drill 2" holes slightly below where the handles are and cover them with a filter patch or lightly stuff them with polyfill to avoid restricting FAE. When your cake is fully colonized, you can "flip the lid" and introduce 12-hour light cycles from the sides of the tub. Alternatively, you can try what I call "shotgun tubs" where you clean another 6qt tub with isopropyl alcohol, let it dry, then spray it with preferably filtered or sterile water from the misting bottle and place it on top of the base tub with the lid removed. This allows light to come from above, which I've found helps with pinning formation, spread, and fruit growth direction; while aiding in moisture retention during the primordia formation and pinning initiation phases of the process (moisture is SO important in this hobby. Generally 90% humidity or above within the enclosure at all stages of the process. The more aspects of the process you can handle yourself, the cheaper the hobby becomes, and the easier it is to contain contamination and identify contaminants with greater reliability. I have never attempted a technique where you place a cake above water as it seems problematic and not feasible based on my personal techniques developed over the past few years. From what you mentioned, it seems like placing a colonized cake on moistened vermiculite within a plastic tote a few times larger than the cake itself might be a more appropriate approach for your project. However, don't let me deter you from experimentation! I have no judgments!

[fbwzoo]

2023 pet goals!!

@bufomancer shared his for next year and I thought it would be fun to make a list for my zoo as well!

Addy - maintain lower weight & comfort. Get professional photos taken in the spring. Enjoy walks, snuggles, and food!

Spring - continue solo outings to increase confidence. Work on tooth brushing. Do scent work for fun! Jack got a beginner kit & they both had fun with their first session.

Emma - ... everything? 😂 But primarily focus on comfort with all household humans, and possibly a couple quiet friends. Desensitization for movement around her, vacuums, fireworks. Work on car rides, and visit training center and vet to work on familiarity/stress level with those places.

Cats - make at least some progress in intros with Frank to upstairs two, & his comfort with the main floor. Add shelves to the run for climbing. Go out on harnesses more.

Charis (ball python) - order forever viv upgrade from Animal Plastics, it'll be 6x2x4! Depending on when it arrives, possibly also getting that set up for her. Also want to get her used to handling more again, and do a vet check up for her.

Rats - possibly get a couple more friends for the Terror Twins, so we don't end up with just one of them at some point. Likely a couple more babies for the big cage as well. Get their freaking dig boxes made! Get on a more regular enrichment schedule for them.

Picante (hamster) - continue being spicy

Spoon (lesser tenrec) - continue being a stinky house plant. Also probably a renovation of his viv

Clover (hedgehog) - upgrade from Christmas tree tote to a 4x2x2 viv (possibly bigger if able?), with Biodude substrate for digging. Improve enrichment as well.

Hermit crabs - get their dang shell collection rinsed and organized again. Get rescue crab added to main tank when/if they return from molting. Spend more time watching!

Crab store - traveling to in-person Crab Con for the first time!!!! Hoping to get some new items made and added to the store as well. Need a new drill press, and need to learn to change the blade on the bandsaw. Also want to figure out a better method/schedule for getting supplies in & making items.

... Me! - get into an exercise routine for home! I give up going to the gym, I dislike the sensory assault too much, especially after work. Also want to add to my wardrobe, and start sewing again, for both me and the critters.

Do I have enough energy and time for all of this? Probably not! Wish me luck anyway! 😂 Happy New Year everyone!

[pbandjesse]

I just told James I was going to come and lay in the empty bathtub to write my post like I did the other night because I can't get distracted as much in here. And they were like oh. I just thought you were going to the bathroom for a half hour!! I have never in my life! Slander!

Today wasn't a bad day but man am I annoyed with some of the in training counselors. Like I get that it's the end. But they are just slacking and making my life difficult but also just making me annoyed. Thankfully most of the day went fine. I was just having an annoyed time.

I slept alright last night. When I woke up I was annoyed because my phone didn't get plugged in right and was at 20% and that made me snippy with James. And then they were making me uneasy staring at me while I was laying there. But I would get over it and get dressed and things would be okay.

James left for work and I took a few more minutes to get ready. But was pretty quickly out the door.

The new cord worked great in the car. And I enjoyed my podcast on the drive in. I've saved a ton of episodes of "behind the bastards" so I'm thrillrd to get caught up. Love learning history stuff. And I got to camp at 8.

It was chilly this morning which was really nice. I threw on a sweatshirt and got everything set up.

I would have Anton come to help today. And we would have the donors for the program he's a part of come by. I tried to make sure he was busy but he also kept wearing both his airpods which made me really annoyed. Like wear one, fine, but both? Really? I was literally calling for him and he wasn't answering. Thankfully he is good at helping the kids and he helped do some moving and organizing. And I think he made a good impression on the donor.

The kids were fun this morning though. I enjoyed seeing their work and there were fun chats. I got some knitting done and it was a beautiful day.

During my second hour Anton and me would go down to homestead to collect the materials Ty had packed up. Anton was a huge help there because everything was heavy. And I got tired pulling the cart back so I appreciated when he took over.

He would take the wagon to make a second trip while I sorted everything to go away into storage. I was given three Rubbermaid totes but because they just need to be better organized everything fit in two milk crates and two small plastic boxes. So there is souch space in the cabinets still. I'm really pleased.

The boxes had cinnamon oil in it and made things smell like Christmas. Which will hopefully improve the smell in the cabinets which just smell like mouse pee right now.

All of a sudden there were air horns. It was a drill. And we all had to go to the field. I would throw that in the group chat in case the other specialties didn't hear the horns. And grabbed my sunglasses before I went to the feild.

It was very hot and bright but it was nice seeing everyone. And after we did the camp check in Alexi asked us all to come to the front to talk to us. She told us to keep doing our best and to not let everything fall apart on the last couple days. To interact with the kids. She was very encouraging. But also you could tell she was saying it because it needed to be said. People have been mentally checking out. It was a good reminder about the impact we have. I wish we had more little check ins like that but I know that would be hard to coordinate.

When it was finally lunch I would go to the office to use the microwave. Which gets way to hot but at least it's fast.

I ate on the porch. Sofie said it smelled to good (it was leftover Mac and cheese and tomato soup) and so she couldn't sit with me anymore which I thought was very funny.

And then I was chatting with Alexi and she made a big fuss about how the chat wasn't about me and how I'm great and it was nice to hear. I volunteered to help her collect going home info for all of staff. Which I have had mixed results on but I'm working on it. It was nice to be able to be helpful.

My afternoon groups were late, not surprised, my morning groups was also late. They made fun work but complained they didn't have time to finish. You would have if you were on time. And the one counselor was very annoyed with me for not just remaking a piece that was an example. Because her camper didn't do the work but wanted it. I don't know how many times I can say I don't make people's art. I won't draw your art. I will help. I will give instructions. I'll help clean up lines or cut things out. But I will not make your art. That is also the problem with having good examples. The kids will want to copy them and then get frustrated when it doesn't look as good. And all I can tell them is I want to see your art, not my art or whoever made that examples art. Yours. So having a councilor making a kids art and then getting upset when I wouldnt take over or just give her the example was very disheartening. Made me very annoyed.

Thankfully I had some good interactions with councilors too. I really enjoyed stockade's company today. They were very funny. I met two Russian boys and learned a third spoke Russian and they all talked so fast!! It was a pleasure to listen to. And they were very sweet to me. Even when I yelled at them all at first for not going to wash their hands and just getting in the hammocks. I have to act a little crazy at first but then I am calm and nice and they can just know I can be insane and mean so they are good. That's how you do it right?

They were fun though and I got to vent to their counselor about stuff I was frustrated about. And they echoed it so at least I didn't feel like I was in the wrong. I also spent a lot of the hour sorting rainbow loom rubber bands that all got mixed up. The box is almost perfect again. I am very pleased.

And then I finished the day with a very good day camp group. Who did lose one of my tools but it's fine. Their councilor Jamie was fun to talk to and it was a nice way to end the day.

I finished cleaning up. And got my stuff together. And then I headed home.

I felt bad when half way home Alexi texted me about a camper coming up to arts but I wasn't there but also I didn't have a group so she couldn't anyway. I hope they aren't upset with me. The child that is.

But I was glad to be home. I wanted to tell James all the things that annoyed me today. They were making me a feta salad. Which I liked at first but then I started to feel weird about it. I'll have the leftovers tomorrow probably. They made me a pb and j instead.

And then I worked on my lesson plans for the next couple hours. And this was the most frustrating one.

Not because it was hard to write but because almost all of the original lesson plan was wrong. Like flat out wrong. Bordering on a lie. And then I discovered that the chickee, the Native American building we have and utilize on camp, is not traditional. It's from the 1830s. And was built because the Seminole people were being hunted by us soldiers. And they needed to make houses quickly and on the go. And then I learned that they have only existed as a people since there 1700s. And that Seminole means outcast. And they are actually a bunch of small groups who intermarried and became a new people because of us. And I was just so sad. I'm not going to leave this out. We're going to make this known in my program. The kids should know this. Everyone should know this.

So is pent two hours making my program work with what I have. And I hope that the parents really get it in the end. I have to hope.

After I finished that I went to lay in the AC. And that's where I was for a long time. James joined me. But I had to leave the ac to come do my post. Which went quicker then it has lately so that's nice.

Now though I want to sleep. I plan on staying at camp tomorrow since it's the last night. I hope you all sleep well and have a fun day tomorrow. Goodnight everyone. Until next time!

[bowepacksite]

The Power of Custom Packaging Bags: Why You Should Consider Them for Your Business

In today's highly competitive marketplace, standing out is key to a brand's success. One of the most powerful yet often overlooked ways to make a lasting impression is through custom packaging. While many businesses focus on the product itself, custom packaging bags offer a unique opportunity to elevate your brand, enhance customer experience, and even increase sales.

In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of custom packaging bags and why they should be a part of your business strategy.

1. Build Your Brand Identity

Custom packaging bags are one of the most effective ways to communicate your brand's identity. Whether it’s through color, logo placement, or design elements, your packaging speaks volumes about who you are as a brand. Consistent, eye-catching packaging reinforces your brand's visual identity and makes it instantly recognizable to customers.

For example, think about the iconic Starbucks green cup or the distinctive Apple packaging—both serve as an extension of the brand and evoke certain emotions and expectations. By creating unique, high-quality custom packaging bags, you align your product with your brand’s ethos and ensure customers associate your product with quality and professionalism.

2. Enhance Customer Experience

When customers purchase a product, they are not just buying an item—they are purchasing an experience. Custom packaging can play a crucial role in enhancing this experience. A well-designed bag that reflects thoughtfulness, creativity, and attention to detail creates an immediate positive impression.

Moreover, custom packaging bags often feel more premium, adding an element of excitement and exclusivity. Whether it's a special design for an event or a unique bag that matches the product, the feeling of receiving a personalized package increases customer satisfaction and can even turn an ordinary purchase into something memorable.

3. Eco-Friendly Solutions for Sustainable Branding

Sustainability has become an increasingly important value for both businesses and consumers. Using custom packaging bags made from eco-friendly materials, such as recycled paper, organic cotton, or biodegradable plastics, can help align your brand with environmental responsibility. This not only appeals to a more eco-conscious customer base but also helps differentiate your brand in a market that’s increasingly focused on sustainability.

Brands that show a commitment to reducing their environmental impact are often rewarded with customer loyalty and positive publicity. Offering reusable bags or packaging that serves a second purpose (such as a tote bag or stylish storage bag) can be a great way to combine sustainability with functionality.

4. Boost Product Perception and Value

Believe it or not, the quality of your packaging directly impacts the perceived value of your product. A premium product encased in lackluster or generic packaging might give customers the impression that the product itself is subpar. On the other hand, a thoughtfully designed custom packaging bag can make even a modest product feel more upscale and exclusive.

Consider high-end cosmetics, jewelry, or gourmet foods—all of which often use high-quality, beautifully designed custom packaging. This sense of luxury isn’t just about the product inside; it’s about the entire unboxing experience. If customers feel they are getting something special and unique with the packaging, they are more likely to view the product itself in the same light.

5. Increased Brand Exposure and Marketing

Every time a customer uses your custom packaging bag in public, it serves as a mini billboard for your brand. Custom bags are mobile advertisements—whether it’s a tote bag carrying your logo or a reusable shopping bag with a clever design, every step taken by a customer carrying your packaging contributes to brand exposure.

For businesses with an online presence, custom packaging bags can help create a stronger unboxing experience, which has been shown to increase social media shares. Customers love sharing great unboxing experiences, and when they post photos or videos of your packaging, they are essentially promoting your brand for you—completely free of charge.

6. Offer Practicality and Convenience

Custom packaging bags can also offer functionality that enhances the customer’s convenience. Think about the difference between a bulky box and a practical, easy-to-carry bag. Custom packaging can be designed to serve multiple purposes. Whether it’s a convenient carry bag for purchases or a reusable bag that customers can use on a day-to-day basis, making your packaging both functional and stylish will keep your brand in the forefront of their minds.

7. Cost-Effective Marketing

When you consider the potential marketing benefits, custom packaging bags are surprisingly cost-effective. Unlike expensive traditional advertising, your packaging is an asset that works continuously for you. Every time someone carries your branded bag, it’s an advertisement. The more versatile and durable your packaging, the longer it lasts, increasing the chances of long-term brand exposure.

In addition, businesses can often save on packaging costs by ordering in bulk. Many custom packaging suppliers offer discounts for larger quantities, making it even more economical.

8. Create an Emotional Connection

Packaging is one of the first touchpoints between a customer and a brand. It’s a tangible moment of interaction, and as such, it’s an opportunity to create an emotional connection. Whether it’s through a thoughtful design, a clever tagline, or a message of gratitude, custom packaging bags can foster a sense of loyalty and connection. Personalized packaging, such as bags with a customer’s name or a message, can make customers feel valued and appreciated, encouraging repeat purchases.

Custom packaging bags are far more than just a way to click here deliver a product. They are a powerful tool for branding, customer engagement, and marketing. From building brand identity to enhancing customer experience, increasing exposure, and even promoting sustainability, custom packaging bags offer a unique opportunity to elevate your business.

So, if you’re ready to make a lasting impression and stand out from the competition, investing in custom packaging is a smart move. After all, packaging isn’t just about protecting a product—it’s about protecting and promoting your brand.

[paperbagsblog]

The Benefits of Using Brown Paper Bags for Fresh Food Packaging

In a world increasingly aware of environmental impacts, brown paper bags have emerged as a sustainable powerhouse for fresh food packaging. From grocery stores to cafes, these humble yet sturdy bags are redefining convenience and eco-friendliness. But what makes these kraft paper takeout bags the preferred choice for both consumers and businesses alike?

Understanding the Appeal of Brown Paper Bags

Brown paper bags are more than just a nostalgic nod to simpler times; they represent a shift toward environmentally responsible packaging. For eco-conscious consumers, these bags offer a tangible way to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. Lightweight yet durable, their design caters to the needs of shoppers and businesses looking to minimize their environmental footprint.

Eco-friendly products are no longer niche—they're mainstream. The demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise, with customers preferring brands that prioritize the planet. Brown paper bags are a symbol of this change, making a statement that aligns with the values of modern consumers.

A Closer Look at Kraft Paper Takeout Bags

Kraft paper takeout bags are crafted for durability and functionality. Engineered to carry up to 10 lbs, they're perfect for handling everything from groceries to takeout orders. Their sturdy construction ensures that even the heaviest items can be transported with confidence, minimizing the risk of spills or tears during transit.

The flat, square bottom of these bags provides added stability, allowing them to stand upright on their own. This feature is particularly beneficial for catering services and large grocery hauls, as it keeps items organized and prevents tipping.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Benefits

A significant advantage of brown paper bags is their eco-friendliness. Unlike plastic bags, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, kraft paper bags are fully recyclable and biodegradable. This reduces waste and contributes to a cleaner environment, making them a natural choice for environmentally conscious consumers.

Furthermore, using brown paper bags helps lower the demand for single-use plastics, which are notorious for polluting oceans and harming wildlife. By choosing paper, businesses play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and protecting the planet for future generations.

Versatility That Meets Every Need

Brown paper bags are incredibly versatile, serving a variety of purposes beyond grocery shopping. They make excellent lunch bags, gift totes, and packaging for baked goods. Their blank canvas offers endless possibilities for customization, allowing businesses to add personal touches through branding or decorations.

This versatility extends to personal use as well. From crafting projects to party favors, kraft paper bags are adaptable to any occasion. Their multifunctionality makes them a staple in households and businesses seeking reliable and sustainable packaging options.

Economic Value of Bulk Purchases

Buying kraft paper bags in bulk is an economical choice for businesses and individuals. Each pack typically contains 100 bags, providing an affordable solution for large events, daily needs, or customer orders. This bulk availability ensures businesses are always prepared, reducing the need for frequent reordering and saving costs in the long run.

For consumers, purchasing in bulk means having a steady supply of eco-friendly bags on hand, eliminating the need for plastic alternatives. This not only supports sustainable practices but also ensures convenience and readiness for any situation.

Strength in Simplicity

The simplicity of brown paper bags belies their strength. Designed to handle heavier loads with ease, these bags are built tough and ready for action. Whether you're transporting bulk groceries or carrying a substantial takeout order, their robust construction provides peace of mind and reliability.

Their resilience is matched by their stylish appearance. Brown paper bags offer a classic, understated look that complements any setting, from rustic cafes to modern markets. Their aesthetic appeal is appreciated by businesses and consumers alike, making them a popular choice for packaging needs.

Consumer Preferences and Trends

The rise of eco-conscious consumerism has fueled the demand for sustainable packaging options like kraft paper bags. Shoppers are increasingly seeking products that align with their values, favoring businesses that demonstrate environmental responsibility. This trend is reflected in purchasing habits, with more consumers opting for paper over plastic.

Businesses that adopt brown paper bags not only meet this demand but also enhance their brand image. By showcasing a commitment to sustainability, companies can attract and retain customers who prioritize eco-friendly practices. This alignment with consumer values is a powerful tool for building brand loyalty and fostering community engagement.

Practical Tips for Using Brown Paper Bags

For businesses and individuals new to using kraft paper bags, there are several tips to maximize their benefits:

Proper Storage: Keep bags stored in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture damage and maintain their durability.

Customization: Take advantage of the blank canvas by adding your brand’s logo or decorative elements to enhance visual appeal.

Reuse and Recycle: Encourage customers to reuse bags when possible and recycle them to promote sustainability.

Implementing these practices not only extends the life of paper bags but also reinforces their environmental advantages.

Real-World Examples of Success

Many businesses have successfully integrated brown paper bags into their operations, demonstrating their practicality and appeal. For instance, grocery stores have reported positive customer feedback after switching to paper bags, noting an increase in customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Restaurants and cafes using kraft paper takeout bags have found them ideal for maintaining food quality during transport, enhancing the overall dining experience. These real-world successes highlight the effectiveness of brown paper bags in meeting diverse packaging needs.

Overcoming Common Misconceptions

Despite their benefits, some misconceptions about brown paper bags persist. One common myth is that they lack the strength to hold heavy items. In reality, kraft paper bags are designed for durability, with reinforced handles and robust construction to support substantial weight.

Another misconception is that paper bags are more expensive than plastic. While the initial cost may be higher, the long-term savings from reduced environmental impact and customer loyalty outweigh the upfront investment. Educating businesses and consumers about these facts is essential for dispelling myths and encouraging adoption.

The Future of Sustainable Packaging

The future of packaging lies in sustainability, with brown paper bag leading the charge. As technology advances, so too will the development of even more eco-friendly materials and designs. Continuous innovation in this field promises exciting opportunities for businesses and consumers to reduce their environmental footprint further.

By staying informed and adaptable, businesses can remain at the forefront of the green revolution, benefiting from the growing demand for sustainable solutions. Brown paper bags are just the beginning of a larger movement towards environmentally responsible practices.

[aliciainbagland]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 🏆 HOST PICK!🤩Eco-friendly COMBO! CANVAS BAGS, 100% Organic Cotton.

[cottonbagfactory23]

Sustainable Choices with Cotton Bag Factory’s Eco-Friendly Bags

As environmental awareness grows, so does the demand for sustainable products. Cotton Bag Factory is committed to providing high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags, offering a variety of products, including organic cotton drawstring bags, cotton shopping bags UK, cotton tote bags UK, and organic tote bags wholesale. Not only are these bags environmentally friendly, but they are also versatile, durable, and perfect for a wide range of uses.

Read more https://cottonbagfactoryy.blogspot.com/2024/11/cottonshoppingbagsUKorganiccottondrawstringbagsCottontotebagsUKorganictotebagswholesale.html